Statistics – Applications
Scientific paper
Jan 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008aipc..969..942a&link_type=abstract
SPACE TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL FORUM-STAIF 2008: 12th Conference on Thermophysics Applications in Microgravity;
Statistics
Applications
Lunar, Planetary, And Deep-Space Probes, Dust Processes, Electron Impact: Secondary Emission, Moon
Scientific paper
It is well known since the Apollo missions that the lunar surface is covered with a thick layer of micron size dust grains with unusually high adhesive characteristics. The dust grains levitated and transported on the lunar surface are believed to have a hazardous impact on the robotic and human missions to the Moon. The observed dust phenomena are attributed to the lunar dust being charged positively during the day by UV photoelectric emissions, and negatively during the night by the solar wind electrons. The current dust charging and the levitation models, however, do not fully explain the observed phenomena, with the uncertainty of dust charging processes and the equilibrium potentials of the individual dust grains. It is well recognized that the charging properties of individual dust grains are substantially different from those determined from measurements made on bulk materials that are currently available. An experimental facility has been developed in the Dusty Plasma Laboratory at MSFC for investigating the charging and optical properties of individual micron/sub-micron size positively or negatively charged dust grains by levitating them in an electrodynamic balance in simulated space environments. In this paper, we present the laboratory measurements on charging of Apollo 17 individual lunar dust grains by a low energy electron beam. The charging rates and the equilibrium potentials produced by direct electron impact and by secondary electron emission process are discussed.
Abbas Mian M.
Dube Michael J.
Gaskin Jessica Anne
Spann James F.
Tankosic Dragana
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